Thursday, 13-08-46

Morning, one and all.  Thank you for joining me.  Apologies for yesterday - I was a bit pushed for time yesterday morning and every time I remembered I hadn't done it, I was doing something else, if you see what I mean.  So in the end I decided to wait for today!

Not that there's much to writer about, mind you.  It's been a gentle old week here.  I've houseworked, knotted, washed, dries and ironed, done a .
bit of all sorts really

In this hot weather I'm watering twice a day and that seems to be keeping the tomatoes going although some plants are showing signs of wear and tear.  Of course, it's that time of year anyway, isn't it?

I've spotted the first (that I can see) cyclamen flower.  It's very pretty and has grown from a corm Mum gave me, ages ago.  It's a slightly darker pink that it appears in this photo.
It's always a sign that autumn is approaching.  First come the flowers and, a bit later, the leaves, eventually covering the whole bed with pretty shapes during the dull months.  Come the spring, I pull them all up and up they come again in around six months' time.
It's also a reminder that I need to start clearing the bed, starting with the foxgloves that flowered this year but leaving the new plants to flower next year.  I will move some of them too, to a better place in the bed.  (no idea what's happened to the formatting here!

Earlier in the year I dug up some baby foxgloves and popped them into a planter and they seem very happy.  We will see if I get a lovely and moveable display next spring/summer!

While on the subject of garden, the tomatoes continue to be happy with just two minor issues.  
One is the ever present blossom end rot, supposedly because of lack of calcium in the soil, but only one of the types is showing it, the accidental 'Big Red' a huge plum type and I didn't mean to buy.
And the only type that is splitting is the Alicante.  That's supposed to be due to intermittent watering but I don't think that's the case as none of the others are showing signs.  Maybe it is type vulnerability?  Who know?  It's not a bit problem, thankfully!

Today, Chris is round and also Tracy, my next door neighbour, for coffee and a good old natter.  After that I'm popping round to Morrisons as I am running out of fruit which would never do.  There's always bits of housework, of course!

It's going to be very hot (for the UK) over much of England today so do take care, get some water into the fridge early, dig out the sun safety stuff and stay well.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Edit:  I looked up the splitting tomato thing and it said sudden changes in moisture, temperature fluctuations and/or soil conditions.

The RHS says:

 Although easy to grow, tomato fruits can suffer from splitting and cracking in late summer. This is difficult to prevent, as it is caused by fluctuating temperatures and water supply - which are often out of the control of the gardener.

Odd that it is only the Alicantes though.

Tuesday, 11-08-26

Good morning, everyone, and welcome.  
Isn't crazy to think that a third of August has been and gone!  Blink and Autumn will be round the corner!  Oh, my goodness!
We're now half way through the summer holiday (for schools) and, dear me, I am so glad I'm retired.  Change of PM and Education Lead in government and, obviously, more changes - even though schools haven't had the opportunity to process that last lot of changes yet.   Will they ever stop treating education as a cheap political football?  No need to answer that, we all know, don't we?

Yesterday felt very busy.  

I gave the garden, and especially the tomatoes, two good waterings (using cans, of course, I am a Good Girl) and, as mentioned, picked loads and loads of tomatoes - and a cucumber.  After some weeks of not much, the cucumbers have decided to fruit again.

I unpacked after the watering and got all that sorted.

I did two loads of washing but not the ironing.  That can wait for today.
I processed some of the tomatoes and now I have four more lots of passata - I use those silicon brick thingies and the resulting cubes take very little space.

I cleared the kitchen, made another mess making dinner for me and Alex, and cleared that.
I went to Morrisons and did some shopping.  It wasn't a big shop but what I handed over was shocking.  Needing some cash didn't help - I know it's mostly cashless nowadays but I do like to have a small amount ready to use.

Alex came round late afternoon and we had dinner after which I took him home again.

I got nibbled to death over the weekend - different area, different bugs, maybe.   The lakes (big ponds) are drying up but there's enough water in them still and I left my window open overnight!!  Oh, well, I have germoline and will apply some soon as I'm feeling mighty itchy after my bath.  No new nibbles overnight though, thankfully.

Just a few more photos - as well as the hotel and to one side of it, there's a set of  . . . I suppose 'flatlets' is the best term . . . each one containing sixteen rooms, I think. the same quality as the hotel rooms.  It's called the Village, it's alongside the gold course and just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel where guests have their meals, etc..  I've never stayed in the Village but I has a little walk up and down.

Today, being Tuesday, starts with Groove.  I can't honestly say I feel terribly enthusiastic about it and would much rather be lazy at home but I'll be glad I went afterwards, I am sure.

After that, it is more of the same.  I want to skin and freeze some more of the cherry tomatoes and I need to do a serious deadheading.

Then there's inside dust, etc, although my feeling is that that can all wait.

Right, time to stop rambling and get the day started.  Get dressed, give the tomatoes a good watering (cans only!!), do my social media stuff, empty the dishwasher . . . and then meet Chris for Groove.
Enjoy your day, everyone.  Stay cool or as cool as possible and, if you know a little rain dance, we in the south east would really appreciate it!!  
xx

Monday, 10-08-26 edited

Morning, all.  It is 11:30.  I'm home, unpacked, everything away, over a kilo of tomatoes picked and passata made, all bar sieving, one load of washing in and a coffee by my side.
It was an easy journey home - sat nav took me straight through Maldon which was unexpected but fine and home end I saw that the road I was going to take into Chelmsford was chokka - red all the way, so I went a bit round the houses to avoid the Army and Navy.  I knew where I was going so that was OK.  It probably added fifteen minutes to the projected time but I'd have been stuck for hours otherwise so no worries.

It's been a lovely weekend, a really restful time.  It was hot but there's efficient air con so it wasn't a problem.  I have eaten well but not wisely!!  Back on the straight and narrow now.

I need to go to Morrisons to get a few things and Alex is coming round late afternoon for dinner.  Apart from that, it's a slow day and I'm going to enjoy it.

I hope your day is going well so far.  All the best and stay sun-safe.  xx

Sunday, 09-08-06

Hi, everyone.  So here I am, in my comfortable room, coffee beside me, having had a lovely restful day yesterday. I did very little of what I thought I would do yesterday and am anticipating another similar day today!

Yesterday started with trip to the pop up shop to get some Rennies.  I never have indigestion but . . . well, yes!!!  I laughed though - there were three of us in a line clutching boxes of the same.  Comfort in numbers!

Basically, I did not-a-lot.  All day!
I enjoyed some quizzes, I sat out in the Garden Terrace, coffee in hand, read, chatted, drank my coffee, went in for a quiz, had a stroll around, bought my bingo tickets (I changed my mind) and in the afternoon enjoyed a whole series of 'Wild West Inspired' fun.  Mind you - Essex people trying to sound American has to be heard to be believed!!

The garden Terrace looking towards the stage . . .

And the other way . . .

It was hot but there was a really refreshing breeze blowing so it didn't feel uncomfortable.

I had hoped to watch the show but when I went up to my room after dinner I realised that the only thing I wanted to do was relax, read and have an early night - so that's what I did.
Because I am on holiday!!  :-)

On to today and I'm going to do similar.  There's quizzes, bingo, some 'entertainments' - silly games, mostly, fun to watch and undemanding.  I will just see how the day pans out.
At some point I will need to think about packing as I hate leaving it all until the last moment.  It won't take long, it just needs to be done, that's all.

It's all very self indulgent and tomorrow I will need to descend back to reality but for now - all's pleasant in my world!

Hope you are having a pleasant weekend too.  xx

Saturday, 08-08-26

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to my first morning at Potters, Five Lakes - although, to be fair, maybe it should be called Five Rapidly Disappearing Ponds right now!

The drive over was good - a bit busy, I guess, but it's not tricky, the worst bit is Maldon/Heybridge and even then, as long as you know the road names, it's fine.

I arrived just in time for lunch which was an optional extra but, as I had early arrival, if was worth it.  I had a very nice chicken Caesar salad (perfect amount, not too big as they usually are, and plenty of chicken) followed by lemon cheesecake (naughty but nice).

Then I was able to access my room.

It's really very nice.  

The room looking one way . . .

. . . and the other.

A very nice bathroom . . .

. . . and a big, walk-in shower, too big to get it all in one photo.

As you can see, the colour scheme is neutral and restful.

There's a very pleasant view from the large picture window although that puddle is usually twice the size and depth.  No balcony but I can turn the chair round to face the outside if I want.

So, I unpacked, made everything cosy and had a bit of a chill with a book before wandering to the Lake View Lounge which is pretty close to my bedroom . . . 

. . . and had The First Drink.  😊
It's become a bit of a tradition to have my favourite 'cocktail', a prosecco and campari, to start a Potters weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed it before moving on to coffee.

I had the coffee in the Garden Bar which is where some of the action happens although, in this weather, a lot of the entertainment has moved to the Garden Terrace which is new since I was last here and which I need to locate.

And so the afternoon and evening passed.

Dinner was lovely.  Potters doesn't do high cuisine but it has good, well cooked wholesome fare and the pate, roast pork with vegetables and mango sorbet, washed down with a glass of pinto grigio was lovely.

I went to the theatre for some singing and a quiz but I felt myself fading out so didn't stay for the show which was a shame but I was very weary.  I'd like to say I slept like a log but - you know, first night in a different bed.  I can take plenty of down time if I need it today.

So, on to today.  At some point I would like to go to the spa for a swim and there's all sorts of stuff on offer.  Taiso (Japanese inspired movement), some craft, yoga for beginners, Dancercise, a keypad quiz, some live music and so much more - and that's just the morning.

Obviously, I can't do it all so I will have to make choices.  I'd love to do the dancercise and there's salsa and cha cha in the afternoon.  I brought some fitness wear with me, thankfully.

And do I want to do Bingo?  Maybe tomorrow?  I don't know.  This is where if I were with a friend, I'm sure we would do it together.

The evening show is a cabaret so that should be very pleasant indeed.  If I'm still awake by then.  😉

Well, time to have a shower and get going.  It's early but I don't want to rush at any point.  Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

Friday, 07-08-26

Morning, all.  Just a very quick one because there's plenty to do to be ready to leave after Slimming World.   I'm taking my laptop, etc, with me so I'll be posting as usual.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

Thursday, 06-08-26

Good morning, everyone.  There's not an awful lot to say today as life is very slow and gentle at the moment.

This is today's tomato task - to skin and chop and freeze these - mostly Romas with a few Shirleys and one Big Red!  They're all large so I should get several portions, not to mention the skins to dehydrate.

(I have the first skins in the air fryer as I type so we will see.)

Apart from that, there's coffee and chat at Chris' first thing, I have washing, etc,  to do and I want to pretty much pack for the weekend as I would like to load up and leave after SW tomorrow morning.

And that's about it . . . so have a lovely day, everyone.  See you tomorrow!  xx

Wednesday, 05-08-26

Morning, everyone!

I'm a bit late today.  Excuses later!  😀

Yesterday went OK.  It started off fairly cool but by the afternoon it was very humid, a strong wind got up and the clouds rolled over and I really felt a storm was on the way.  No such luck - by evening the clouds looked less ominous, the wind had died down and the humidity had lifted (thankfully).

Sharon came, worked her magic and left again.
I popped to Morrisons to get a few things I had forgotten to get.

I made some chutney, not Alison's recipe but one with balsamic vinegar.  It was OK, I will enjoy it, but it's a bit bland.  Not one to make again.

I've not got quite a lot of tomato based stuff in the freezer and today I want to add to that with some peeled and chopped tomatoes.

This morning, I got my Facebook stuff done and then I went over to Lindsey's for personal training.  She asked me about things, adapted the exercises and finished off with a massage.  She thinks that, judging by my reactions to the massage, I have a bit of a trapped nerve.  It does feel a lot better now, even if the massage itself was a bit uncomfortable at times, so that's good.

When I got home, I watered the tomatoes and then set to cutting back some more leaves on the tomato plants.  If we do get rain (yes, please), it will help keep the plants aired and blight free.

They don't look nearly so nice now and are a bit top heavy so I will need to keep an eye on that, but 

the tomatoes will get better light and, as I said, better air through.

Then I sat down with coffee and have only just remembered my blog.  Ooops.

There's nothing else in the diary for today but I want to start packing for Friday and Five Lakes.  Only two more days, yay.
My lovely neighbour says she will water the garden which is so kind of her given the hosepipe ban.

So that's me for today.  Nothing very exciting but just plodding on is nice and peaceful, isn't it?  Have a lovely day yourselves too.  xx

Tuesday, 04-08-26

 Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to my blog.
It's a fine morning and the early sun is shining brightly.    I've done my watering - left handed watering is something of a pain but not as much as using the other arm!! - and picked the morning tomatoes.

Yesterday I made a big bowl of tomato, roasted red pepper and lentil soup which tastes gorgeous and will be perfect, not only for soup but also for pasta/pizza sauce and that sort of thing.  This morning I blanched and peeled some cherry tomatoes and they will also be frozen.

Peeling those little tomatoes is fiddly and, while I was doing it, I suddenly wondered if I could do anything more with the skins than just compost them.

So I asked my friend, Google, 'Can I make tomato powder with tomato skins?' and this is what I got.

Yes, you can make tomato powder from tomato skins. The process involves dehydrating the skins at low temperatures and then grinding them into a fine powder. This method not only conserves food waste but also preserves the flavour and nutrients of the tomatoes. The resulting tomato powder can be used in various dishes to enhance their flavour and colour.

My air fryer has a dehydrate function so three cheers.  When I think of all the skins I have discarded over the years . . . 
I might dry some of the bigger tomatoes and store them in evoo or even garlic infused oil - wouldn't that be good?

One half of the salt tablets arrived yesterday (they warned me in might come in two deliveries).   I asked nicely but the driver wouldn't take them round the back.   Oh, well, I managed, one bag at a time!  I'm hoping the other half will arrive today.

Thinking of today, I'm not doing Groove.  There's a lot of arm stuff and I don't think it would be sensible.  I'm going to ask Lindsey for some gentle stretching exercises I can do for when it aches - she's really helpful with things like that.  

BBC weather doesn't show any rain though for weeks - although there are flood warnings out for other parts of the country.  C'est la vie!!!

Have a lovely Tuesday, all.  Stay safe and well.  xx

Monday, 03-08-26

Good morning, everyone!  It's Monday, new week, the sun is shining and, right now, it's very pleasant outside.

I've done my first watering can watering this morning.  I'm not sure it needed it but, while the heat continues, I will be doing morning and evening, particularly the thirsty tomatoes!

Here you go - the mandatory photo!
I've done the morning picking and these will soon be ready to pick.  I'm really loving them this year; they are much happier than in pots and, assuming I feed the soil well, they should grow well next year too.

I'm already thinking about next year, as I am sure some of you are too.  Growing space is limited but I have bought some . . . well, they are called potato bags but they are sturdy and should do for plenty of other veg as well as potatoes.  I'm wondering about over-wintering some early broad beans (so I need to get the seeds soon) and then I can use the same soil for salad leaves, maybe, and so on.  I really would like to grow a bit more produce.

And here's that dahlia, looking very happy and healthy.  Definitely the 'wrong' colour but, dear me, let's not be too fussy!

I do like a survivor!

Today should be circuits but I've pulled out as my shoulder/upper arm is quite sore.  Annoying, but on this occasion I feel it is wiser to rest it than to push on through.  Lindsey said that she can give it a massage at PT on Wednesday - that should help.

When I went to top up the water softener, I found I was down to the last bag of salt pellets so good old Amazon is delivering some today.  With any luck, he will carry them round to the back for me but, if not, I will just have to be very, very careful!  I wonder where I put my trolley box . . .

Well, better go.  I may not be rushing out to circuits but I do have stuff to do so have a lovely day, everyone.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Sunday, 02-08-26

Morning, all.  Another cool and dry start to the day.  Mornings and evenings round here are really very pleasant, it just tends to get hot in the late morning and afternoon.

I made the first chutney I have made in several years, using a recipe from the ever-reliable BBC Good Food.  Maybe I shouldn't have added the optional chilli and maybe I overdid the ginger but I like a bit of spice in chutney, it's actually really nice and can be used straight away.
I halved the amounts and it gave me one big pot which is perfect as far as storage is concerned.
So that's 500g of tomatoes accounted for!

I meant to have some with my evening meal but forgot.  I've planned a burger this evening so it will be perfect for that!

I'll try Alison's recipe next although it won't be all Sungolds; I don't have enough of them and anyway I love them raw!  :-)

Last week, I got a message from Virgin telling me my TV box was on the way out (that wasn't news to me) so please to order a new one.  So I did, it arrived on Friday and yesterday I summoned up my courage and did the necessary.  It should have been easy and, to 99.9% of the population it would have been but me - I'm the original techno-twit and it took ages.  I got there though, finally, thank goodness.  Now I just have to return the old bod to them, everything provided including return label.
Of course, I lost all my recordings and settings, but it wasn't long ago I had to change the zapper and lost them in the process then so there wasn't much to lose.  To be fair, the new way to record is infinitely easier, once you get your head round it.

I've just unpacked the Oddbox, which is left on my doorstep overnight.  Lovely quality fruit and veg including a beautiful cabbage which I don't need but I will give it to Beth and Alex when I take come tomatoes over this afternoon.

This morning I want to spend a little time just tidying and sorting stuff and dealing with tomatoes (I might just skin and chop and freeze for chutney making at a later date) and then the day's my own.   I have absolutely no idea what to do but I'm sure I will find something.

In the meanwhile, I will love you and leave you with hopes for a good day for us all.  xx 

Saturday, 01-08-26

Good morning, everyone, and pinch and punch for the first of the month with no returns!  I think that covers it.  😁

So, here we are at the beginning of the holiday month as I always think of it.  I have vague and happy feelings of little children playing in the garden - swing, sandpit, tricycles, scooters, going for bike rides with Mum, going for walks with Pam, getting up early to bring the milk in before it went off in the sun and that overwhelming sense of freedom.  I was very lucky in my childhood; I'm sure there were less great times but I don't remember them.

Yesterday started nice and cool but by the afternoon it was hot again and I stayed in, appreciating the fans.  In the morning, I had done Slimming World and then went over to Morrisons to do the weekly shop although I do hope I won't need to do anything quite as big for a fortnight, just fresh stuff.  I'm away next weekend and that will help too!  I was able to take the money out of July's budget so today starts with a clean sheet and that's something else that feels good.  July was a very costly month, what with all the extra expenses plus paying for holidays and so on - August looks much plainer sailing (touch wood) one way and another.

I knew we couldn't escape the hosepipe ban much longer and, yes, Essex and Suffolk Water has announced one starting Monday.  Ho hum but fair enough.  I will make the most of this weekend and give the beds, especially the tomato bed, super long soakings and I'm thankful that I have no tomatoes in pots this year as they are a bit of a pain to keep damp and there's so much more evaporation.

And, talking of tomatoes, I have loads including some larger ones and will be making some chutney today.  I have a few big jars and don't want to make loads but, unlike jam, I do eat chutney regularly so it won't be wasted.  And there's always Christmas gifts to consider.

I'm glad that I have that because this weekend, for the first time in forever, I have no one to bake bread for.  Lindsey has plenty and so does Beth.  I feel bereft (well, a bit sad anyway) as I love making bread.

The other thing I want to do today is deal with the hanging baskets which are really past their best now and looking straggly. and not terribly attractive.  They've been great though and, obviously, I will be keeping the pots and dumping the contents in the compost bin.
There's always dead heading too plus weed scraping although they are wilting in the heat and not nearly as aggressive as usual.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  Stay happy and be safe.  xx

Friday, 31-07-26

Morning - welcome to the last day of July which is starting out dull here.  However, no rain forecast which is not great.  We actually had a few drops yesterday evening, great bit splashes, but wherever the rest fell, it certainly wasn't round here. 

A quick one as I have an early start.

Yesterday was a pleasant day, just pottering around doing this, that and the other.  I finished my latest crochet thing, one of those things that go across the bottom of your bed, mainly to look nice, I think, but it swill help keep my toes warm come the colder weather.

Today starts with Slimming World, as usual, and than I have the weekly shop.  And that's about it.

The next Broomfield Trips newsletter landed this morning and I've asked for places on two trips for next year, Milestone's Living Museum and Live Aid the Musical.

How about you?  What have you been up to?  
Have a lovely Friday, everyone.  xx

Thursday, 30-07-26

Good morning, everyone.  

I trundled off into town on the bus yesterday, laden with a list, water, sunhat, TV connectors and, most important, my bank card!
The bus was quick so I was able to wander along to Grape Tree first and found not only the required mixed seeds and pumpkin seeds (there's never enough pumpkin seeds in a mix so I always add more) but also some beetroot powder that someone in one of my Facebook pages recommended.

I picked up my glasses and had them fitted before popping over the road to Pret  - I rarely eat breakfast out but, on this occasion, I decided I wanted to - so I did!  I had a 'big apple bowl (not so big but very nice) and my usual black Americano and really enjoyed the experience.  I do like Pret food.

I wandered into Holland and Barrett where my eye was caught by a bag of carlin peas (dried peas) which, says the bag, are sometimes called pigeon peas and which have a chestnutty flavour, nice in curries, with roasted veg and in salads.
Looking forward to giving them a try!

And then, the main event.  Back to Specsavers for my hearing aid appointment where the audiologist took great care with tuning them, linking my TV connectors (the sound Bluetooths straight into the aids which is absolutely brilliant) and updating the app on my phone.  It's amazing what you can get to help nowadays.

I paid the ouchy amount and that was that - until the check up in a month's time!

Now I can do a final check and close my accounts for July.  Good!

Just as I got home, up rolled the window cleaner.  Good timing there.  Poor chap, he was baking hot and gratefully accepted a big glass of iced water, following up with a second big glass.

Today is a nothing in the diary day.  Chris can't make coffee and chat this morning.  It feels quite nice to have nothing scheduled first thing - every week day usually has something - fitness class, PT, coffee and chat and Slimming World.
I've picked another load of tomatoes including some big ones so I need to deal with them.  I think I am just going to peel the cherry sized ones and freeze them whole and I might make some portions of soup with the bigger ones.
I'm having a lot in meals at the moment as well.
Happy days!

Have a lovely Thursday and let's hope it's a bit cooler today - yesterday was an absolute scorcher!  xx

Wednesday, 29-07-26

Good morning!  How are you all today?  It was very hot yesterday and looks to be even more so today.  Phew.  

I've just done today's picking.  Yay!!!  Some are ready now and some will be ready after a day on the window ledge.

Pretty much the only thing I did yesterday was Groove and the walk.  It was hot but at least there was a bit of a breeze so the walk was nice.  Groove itself was, as always, great but phew (again) - we got hot.  

Not so hot that I didn't have a go at the bread though and, yes, 100% whole grain flours and it came up lovely and light.  That's a good thing to have learned - add a dollop of starter.  It doesn't have to be activated.

The flavour is different without the white but just as nice, even with a more speedy rise but very little hint of sourdough to it.

A little bit of forward news.  While on the coach on Saturday, Ray was talking (over the announcement speaker) about the holiday in Ireland they have just taken a group of people to.  Then he said Jan was in the process of arranging a trip to Jersey next year.  I've never been to Jersey so I asked about it and, lo and behold, the first of next year's holidays sorted!    I'll have to pay a deposit soon but it will be next month and finances will be back to normal again so no worries.

Today is exciting because I'm off into town to pick up my glasses and hearing aids.  I'm not looking forward to the town bit; it will be hot and I'm using the bus, of course, but apart from the glasses and aids, I will take the opportunity to go to the Grape Tree and get some more mixed seeds and pumpkin seeds as I am right out, using the last few in the bread.

Fingers crossed it won't be too bad and at least I have my sunhat!!
See you tomorrow - have a great day and stay safe,  xx

Tuesday, 28-07-26

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to my Tuesday blog - a shorter one as not very much happened yesterday.

Starting with garden photos, of course.

One of the 'lost' dahlias - obviously not so lost after all!  It looks like the yellow one which, of course, won't go with the rest of the bed but not to worry.  Let's call it an accent wall plant!

And yay!  The big tomatoes are now playing ball.  I've picked a few and there are more nearly ready as you can see.  I'm approaching a glut scenario so will be making stuff for the freezer - things like passata, sauce, soup.  Some I skin, chop and freeze raw - it's fine for cooking with.

I love this time of the tomato season.

Circuits yesterday was lovely.
As it is the summer block, some people bring their older children who join in with great gusto.  Yesterday's bunch were just fantastic.

I wonder if there will be any youngsters at Groove today.

Apart from Groove, and the walk there and back, there's nothing in the diary but I have washing, etc, and there's always tidying, etc.

The bread I made yesterday did, indeed, do a super-rise.  It makes for a very light loaf.  So today I am trying the same thing (adding a bit of sourdough starter to the nix) with a 100% wholemeal (or wholegrain, anyway) rather than a mix.  That can be a bit heavy so fingers crossed it helps to lighten it a bit.  We will see.
Then I must stop because I will have enough frozen bread to last me pretty much through August!

Better get going and do stuff.  Have a lovely day, take care if you are in the sun and thanks for reading.  xx

Monday, 27-07-26

A very good morning to everyone.  A new week starts and it looks like more wall to wall sunshine after a cloudier morning yesterday and some actual, real, live rain.  Not much but enough to wet the ground.  It won't solve any water shortage issues but it did freshen up the atmosphere.

I made Beth's loaves and tried out a theory I had.  A short while ago, if you remember, I made a couple of loaves for her that rose almost scarily fast and, when baked, stuck to the tin that I covered the bottom loaf tin with for the great majority of the bake (I start from cold) and it was a nightmare to get it off the top of the loaf.  Well - I realised that I had just made some sourdough and decided not to clean Thermione but to mix the yeasted dough in the pan that had a bit of remaining sourdough.
I wondered if that little bit of sourdough created the super-rise so, yesterday, I deliberately added a bit of starter to the mix and, lo and behold, another super rise.  No sticking this time though because I oiled the tins I used as covers!

I need a loaf too so I'm going to try again today - just to check!

I said I'd show what I bought at the Show on Saturday so here goes.

A bit of a cheat, this, because I didn't buy it; it was a freebie and what a good freebie it is.  It's lovely and substantial and I will definitely be using it.

Two fridge magnets.  They are both from watercolours painted by the then Prince of Wales.  I love water colour paintings and chose these over a slightly more gaudy magnet.

My hands are very dry at the moment so I've started using beeswax hand balm again.  I got some in Crete which is still in use (you only need the tiniest amount) but I think it's an ongoing need now so I treated myself to these two from a stall.  The scents are gorgeous and the dry patches on my hands are so much softer again.

Five lovely cards - I'm always after a nice card or two.  These are prints from originals and just my thing.

The sunhat.
I've been looking for ages but couldn't find anything that didn't make me look like s Dingle Dangle Scarecrow (any one teaching primary in the 70s and 80s will recognise this) or a demented gardener.  This was just perfect, quite flattering and makes me look uncannily like my Mum at first glance.  A plus is that it rolls up and comes with a little bag for storage.

Just shiny hanging things that catch the light and move in the slightest breeze although, thinking about it, maybe it wasn't a particularly wise purchase - glass, reflection, direct sun = potential fire hazard in this weather if the air is very still.  It it's moving, no worries.

Hmmm - I'll ponder that one.

And, finally, of course, the show guide book.  Expensive but informative with a useful map and descriptions.  A nice memento.

The only thing I did set out to look for, a really decent pair of gardening gloves, was the one thing I missed.  I think the relevant stalls were the in the area I didn't have time or remaining energy to explore.  Not to worry, they are hardly a rare commodity.

I also have loads and loads of leaflets, business cards, etc, which I will be looking through and maybe accessing online to take a look.  

Now it's Monday and the only thing in the diary is circuits at Lindsey's.  
However, being Monday, it is downstairs cleaning day too and I want to make that bread as mentioned above so I won't be bored.

Have a lovely day, everyone, and I hope your weekend was the best.  See you!!!  xx

Sunday, 26-07-26 - Sandringham Flower Show

 Morning, everyone!  Welcome to Sunday.
Let's get a few things from Friday polished off first.

Eddie (bless him) came round, spent half an hour looking into my laptop (not literally, just exploring the files, etc), said I had more than enough RAM, found something that was causing a bit of a blockage, dealt with that and now things are proper back to normal again.  Phew.

And I've transferred what I need from savings to pay for the hearing aids on Wednesday.  A bit early but better safe than sorry.  I can now finish off the monthly accounts nice and early.

And for anyone who might be concerned (thanks, Annabeth), I don't live near where that dreadful explosion happened on Friday, nor did the smoke cause any issues round here at all, thank goodness. It was close to Hyde Hall, some people have been very affected and I feel for them; also for the fire fighters who had to go to hospital.

Thank goodness no-one was killed (as far as I know)

Now on to yesterday.  I'll just wander chronologically through my photos . . .

It was quite an early start but what a gorgeous day.  At Sandringham it was very hot but there was a breeze that made it all very pleasant.
We got there after ten so it was straight over - a short walk from the coach park, much better than Hampton Court last year.

Just outside the entrance to the show was a tent run by local churches with home made cakes, etc, and cold drinks.  It would have been rude not to have a delicious cheese scone and a can (who knew) of sparking water.

The famous church on the estate, the one we see on the news every Christmas morning when the Royal Family go to church and back again after the service.

It was open and I peeped in but it's only a small place and it was absolutely packed so I didn't bother.

There were some interesting 'pods' on show, all frighteningly expensive and which made me glad for my garden room, even if it's not as quirky!

Mind you -I could go for this - a cool tub would be great in this hot weather and a hot one for when it gets colder!!

There were some lovely greenhouses and lean-to cold frames, etc, which made me wonder about getting a cold frame to go against my house or against the garden room wall.
Something to think about for the future, perhaps.

Mindful Chef (the meal box people) had a show garden that was just what I would do if I had the money.  Obviously the garden room would stay but, as a concept - perfect!

Maybe I was a bit biased because they were handing out really good quality hessian tote bags that were a perfect size for little-legs me and which I will get great use from - but I don't think so.

A riot of flowers

And how they did this, just for the show, is beyond me - they looked as if they're always been there.  Loads of flowers but only a few beans, so far.

Courgettes and, behind them, broad beans, all looking remarkably healthy!  A shame picking wasn't allowed!!

Designed by Sophie Godber, the bumph said "Mindful Chef's Gathering is a living extension of our means.  It mirrors our love for diverse, plant-packed eating and showcases how a vibrant lifestyle starts from the ground up.  It's a riot of colour (I said that above, didn't I?) and flavour, designed to inspire thoughtful, sustainable cooking."

A bit wordy but I could see what they were getting at and I might take a look at their site.

I popped into the Lifestyle marquee - some lovely stuff for sale in there!

It was getting close to lunch time and the queues were building up so I decided to have it early while there were chairs available.  I had this - a Greek chicken wrap and it was absolutely lovely!

This was the stall and there was a queue that grew and grew.  A proper charcoal grill for the meat and you could see everything being assembled.  

I really enjoyed it - it reminded me of Crete.

I couldn't get a better angle for this wooden butterfly.

There are loads of very old trees on the estate which were cordoned round as they could be fragile and unsafe.  

While on the subject of trees, one tree looked weird with things hanging down.  Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be headphones that were tied to branches by their lead.  With them on, you heard a low rumble which was the tree moving and some pop-pop-pop sounds that was water travelling up the capillaries.  It was fascinating, almost musical and rather awesome - and judging by their facial expressions, others thought the same.

A few random photos . . .

I LOVE that name for tadpoles!

I spend a while looking at the Girlguide garden.  My Mum would have loved it - she was a keen Guide, ranger, captain and commissioner all through her life.

I'm not ashamed to say a few tears prickled . . .

This is a bench, seating the other side, and with the Guide promise cut out.  It's changed a lot since my short time as a Guide (and which I can still remember perfectly)

A badge blanket with all the garden/environmental/etc, badges that can be awarded.

The House!!  No union flag flying which was sensible of them.  

There was a small produce tent for fruit and veg - no jams, chutneys etc.
The quality was impressive.
This one was a collaborative entry from some group or other.  

It was hard not to reach out and taste some.

There was some lovely garden furniture plus sculptures, sparkly stuff, nick-nacks, etc, as well as plants.  I wasn't tempted by the sculptures on this stall but there was some lovely furniture and I'm hoping to hear back from him regarding something specific later today.
Tell you more, if . . .

I didn't actually get to see everything as I took my time and didn't rush.  There were talks, music, ice cream vans (mango sorbet cone, yum), all sorts of small displays, stalls, etc.  so I'm not concerned about what I didn't see.

I didn't take photos of everything I saw; there were far too many and lots of people milling round them.

Photo opportunity.  This was very pretty.

Heading back to the coach, I stopped off at the Delphinium restaurant in the Visitor's Centre and treated myself to a lovely pot of tea for one!  Really nice tea, proper tea leaves and a tea strainer and lovely china.

I looked in the shop with half an idea to buy myself a cup, sauce and plate but, my goodness, the prices!
A single tea plate was £20 and, should I foolishly had indulged in a three tier cake stand, it would have set me back £150!  Ouch.  
You will be glad to know I didn't . . .

And finally, as I had ten minutes before I needed to head back to the coach, I sat in an arbour in the shade in indulged in some people watching.

Such a lovely day

I didn't set out to buy anything in particular but, of course, I did get a few things including my fridge magnets, you will be glad to know.
I'll tell you about them in a separate post though - this one is quite long enough as it is.

So - a good journey, great weather and a really lovely day.  And now I have a gentle day to recover . . .